Philippines News Agency

TACLOBAN CITY — Same clans will control the six provincial governments of impoverished Eastern Visayas region in the next three years as incumbent officials succeeded in holding their clout in local governance based on counting results.

Biliran Governor Gerardo J. Espina, Jr. got another fresh term after running unopposed in this year’s elections. The Espinas have been in control of the small province since its creation in 1992.

In Leyte, Governor Leopoldo Dominico, a member of the influential clan, defeated two other candidates, whose names don’t ring a bell among voters in the province.

The governor, whose family has been reigning the province since 1992, earned 448,957 votes, a wide lead over Baldomero Falcone’s 13,209 votes and Philip Nielo’s 13,036 votes.

In Northern Samar’s gubernatorial post, incumbent Jose Ong earned 176,991 votes, defeating Monsignor Walter Cerbito, who got 69,582 votes.

In the hotly contested gubernatorial race in Samar, Governor Sharee Ann T. Tan succeeded her re-election bid after gaining 194,657 votes over closest rival Emil Zosa’s 133,263 votes. The Tans have been in Samar politics since 1998.

In Eastern Samar, Governor Conrado Nicart Jr. will serve his last term as chief executive of the province after obtaining 133,576 votes, defeating former Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan by a margin of 53,947 votes.

In Southern Leyte, Rep. Damian Mercado (lone district) is making a comeback in the gubernatorial post. He had 118,333 votes, way ahead of his opponent Shefferd Lino Tan, who got 77,855 votes.

Damian decided to switch post with brother, Governor Roger late last year after learning that Tan would substitute an unknown candidate in the gubernatorial race.

For decades, the region’s provincial governments have been controlled by a few families that promise to spur economic growth every election.

Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2015 first semester data, Eastern Visayas’ 47.3 percent population remained poor, which is worse than 43.8 percent in 2009 and 45.4 percent in 2012. The region is the second poorest area in the country next to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

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NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) – Voters in the province of Biliran have their share in the resounding votes garnered nationwide by president-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte of the PDP-Laban in the synchronized local and national elections on May 9, 2016.

Based on the provincial certificate of canvass of Comelec-Biliran provincial office, Duterte garnered 30,712 votes or 39.03% of the total votes.

Biliran province has total registered voters of 108,833 with only 88, 532 voters who actually voted or voters’ turn-out equivalent to 81.34%.

Voters in Biliran picked the administration’s presidential bet Mar Roxas in second place with 21,060 votes representing 26.76% of registered voters who actually voted in Biliran province.

UNA’s presidential bet Jojo Binay came in third with 14, 885 votes representing 18.91%; Grace Poe, an independent presidential candidate, landed fourth with 10,901 votes representing 13.85; and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, of the PRP came in fifth with 1,038 votes representing 1.31%.

Results in the vice-presidential race in Biliran province showed Bongbong Marcos leading with 34, 440 votes followed by Leni Robredo- 18,231 votes; Alan Peter Cayetano-8, 901 votes; Chiz Escudero-7,768 votes; Gringo Honasan-1,901 votes; and Antonio Trillanes- 1, 072 votes.

In the local scene, Congressman Rogelio J. Espina of the Lone District of Billiran and his younger brother Biliran Governor Gerardo J. Espina, Jr., who were both unopposed, garnered 54,844 votes and 52,518 votes, respectively.

For the mayoralty post in the eight towns in Biliran province, Naval, the capital town in the province of Biliran has a new mayor-elect in the person of Gerard Roger M. Espina, board member of the First District of Biliran province; Almeria town has a new mayor-elect in the person of Ricardo Jaguros; and also Cabucgayan town with Edwin Masbang as the new mayor-elect of the town.

The remaining mayors of the five towns in Biliran province retained their post as voters in Kawayan town re-elected Kawayan Mayor Rodolfo J. Espina, Sr.; Grace J. Casil was re-elected as mayor of Biliran town; Eulalio G. Maderazo was re-elected as mayor of Caibiran; and Maripipi Mayor Uldarico Macorol and Culaba Mayor Lorenzo Reveldez, Jr. retained their posts as both were unopposed.

The conduct of the election in Biliran province on May 9, 2016 was generally peaceful as there was no election-related incident reported by police authorities, although there were reported minor malfunction of some Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) but later became operational as they were immediately replaced, the Comelec provincial office reported. (FJ/rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran)

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Flor Jackson, PIA, Biliran

NAVAL, Biliran – The province of Biliran marked its 24th Provincehood Anniversary in May 11 (Wednesday) 2016.

In an interview, Biliran Governor Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina, Jr. said, the celebration this year was made simple because of its closeness to the date of the May 9, 2016 elections where everyone is involved in the political exercise.

A simple thanksgiving mass was held at the compound of the governor’s hall at the capitol compound to highlight the occasion.

The mass which was celebrated by Fr. Romulo Espina of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Naval, Biliran was attended by the capitol employees and officials of the provincial government led by Governor Espina, Jr. afterwhich, a simple lunch was served at the governor’s office for everyone to partake.

He informed that the province of Biliran province will be celebrating the silver provincehood anniversary in May 11 next year.

Since it’s a milestone in the history of Biliran province, he is planning to line-up activities that will give color and attraction to the occasion.

When asked about holding the festivals of some municipalities in the province during the silver provincehood anniversary next year, he said, he has to consider factors in undertaking said activities as the province of Biliran is facing a big task, that of hosting the January, 2017 Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet.

Expected to present their festivals are the municipalities of Almeria, Cabucgayan, Caibiran and Biliran, among others.

It was learned that the provincial government of Biliran is spearheading the refurbishing and repair of the Biliran Provincial Sports Center in Brgy. Larrazabal, Naval in preparation for the hosting of the big sports event.

Part of the preparations is the repair of the olympic size swimming pool located within the sports center.

May 11 of every year is declared a local holiday in the entire province of Biliran to give every Biliranon time to enjoy and internalize the significance of the occasion.

In May 11, 1992 during the synchronized local and national elections, a plebiscite was conducted to ratify the approval of the conversion of the sub-province of Biliran into a regular province pursuant to Section 462 of Republic Act No. 71609 and in May 21, 1992, the members of the Plebiscite Board of Canvassers proclaimed the conversion of the independent province known as the Province of Biliran by unanimous vote. # (PIA 8 Biliran)

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 14:15:00 05/13/2016

NAVAL, Biliran – For more than two decades after its conversion in 1992 as a province, Biliran remain to be ruled by a political clan – the Bando-Espina, in which in the latest May 9 National and Local Elections the ally continue dominating top most posts.

Cong. Rogelio Espina – titular head of the ally in lieu of the late legislator Gerardo Espina, Sr., still re-elected as lone district representative of Biliran being unopposed this year with 54,844 votes.

Also, Gov. Gerardo Espina,Jr. who is the youngest brother of the congressman got a chance again to serve the province after being re-elected and run unopposed, accumulating 52,518 votes.

Outgoing board member and son of congressman, Gerard Espina, on the other hand secured local post being Naval town’s mayor after a landslide victory of 14,939 votes against Aim Limpiado, with 6,021 votes. The town will be back again and ruled by the Espina after a decade.

Congressman twin brother and re-electionist Mayor Rudy Espina will remain to serve the town of Kawayan after 6,635 votes win against Jun Durango with only 2,186 votes.

For the vice governor post, re-electionist Engr. Eriberto Tubis retain the seat after a victory of 38,574 votes against Engr. Dindin Morillo with 23,327 votes. Vice Governor Tubis is also an ally of Bando Espina.

Meanwhile, posts for Sanguniang Panlalawigan or Board Members both 1st and 2nd districts secured majority by the allies of Bando-Espina.

Among the eight towns in the province, six municipalities are still under the administration of Bando-Espina’s allies. Only two towns, Almeria and Cabucgayan, were the party’s mayoralty candidates lose the seat – BiliranIsland.com

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NAVAL, Biliran – Two persons died in a road traffic accident along the national road at Brgy. Agpangi, Naval Biliran at around 7:10 p. M today.

According to the initial field reports, victims were identified as Jenna Sabocohan, 20 years old, who died on impact and Noel Garcia died later this evening while being treated in the Biliran Provincial hospital. Both are residents of Brgy. Agpangi, Naval Biliran.

According to the police report, said victims are riding a motorcycle when accidentally collided to a red Honda Civic with plate number KDS 196.

The driver is identified as Fr. Edward Veloso, a parish priest of the Almeria Municipality. The car was said to be owned by his sister who came for a visit.

– BiliranIsland.com

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Two persons died after their motorcycle collided with a car driven by a Catholic priest in Naval, Biliran on Saturday night.

Police identified the fatalities as Noel Garcia and Jenna Sabocohan, residents of Barangay Agpangi.

The two victims were riding a motorcycle along a highway in Barangay Agpangi when their vehicle collided with a red Honda Civic (KDS 196) driven by Father Edward Veloso.

Veloso is the parish priest of nearby Agpangi town.

Sabocohan died on the spot while Garcia, who was driving the motorcycle, died at the Bilihan Provincial Hospital.

The incident happened at past 7 p.m.

Police are investigating the incident. —ALG, GMA News

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By Betchai Julian
Abante.com.ph

Dalawa katao ang nasawi ng sumalpok sa kotse ng isang parish priest ang kanilang sinasakyang motorsiklo sa Naval, Biliran, Eastern Visayas, kamakalawa ng gabi.

Kinilala ng pulisya ang mga nasawi na sina Noel Garcia at Jenna Sabocohan, kapwa residente ng Brgy. Agpangi, Biliran.

Nagtamo ng matinding bali sa buto sa katawan at bagok sa ulo ang mga biktima dahilan para mamatay.

Nagsasagawa pa ngayon ng masusing imbestigasyon ang pulisya ukol sa pangyayari habang si Fr. Veloso ay iniimbestigahan. – Abante Online

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ALMERIA, Biliran – Three persons are injured involving a motorcycle accident, May 17, 2016.

The drivers were identified as Tommy Caparro, 48 years old, a habal -habal driver and a resident of Brgy, Jamorawon, Almeria. While the other is a member of the PNP- Almeria police force, Bonificio Espregante a resident of Brgy. Poblacion, Almeria.

The accident occurred at 5:34 pm in the afternoon at the Sitio Upper Looc, Brgy, Look, Almeria.

Based on the police blotter a Red XRM motorcycle with plate number 6684 driven by Caparro was heading to Brgy, Matanggo, Almeria when an unregistered Motorcycle a black Honda driven by Espregante traveling in an opposite direction swerved at his left lane and failed to control his bike resulting in a collision.

The accident injured both drivers and a passenger whose identity is unknown. They are all brought by emergency responders to Biliran Provincial Hospital for prompt treatment.

Information about the current situation of the injured parties was not immediately available. – BiliranIsland.com

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By Edwin P. Sallan, InterAksyon.com May 18, 2016 · 9:19 pm

Ara Chawdury’s “Miss Bulalacao” has been invited to four international film festivals this June.

The acclaimed gay comedy about a drag princess who gets pregnant following an alien abduction will have its international premiere at the Seoul Independent Women Film Festival in Seoul, South Korea starting June 2. Chawdhury, a filmmaker from Cebu, will attend the premiere.

The Seoul Independent Women Film Festival is regarded as the world’s largest international women’s film festival.

From there, “Miss Bulalacao” will have its North American premiere at the 5th YBCA New Filipino Cinema in San Francisco which kicks off June 9. The film will be represented there by Chawdhury and cinematographer Christian Linaban.

Lead actor Russ Ligtas will grace the film’s screening at the Bangkok Gay and Lesbian Film Festival where it will be competing.

Chawdhury’s debut feature, “Miss Bulalacao” was originally an entry to the 2015 Cinema One Originals film festival, where it won Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Chai Fonacier.

It also won Best First Feature for Chawdhury in this year’s edition of the Young Critics Circle awards.

“I’m ecstatic over the chance to bring Bisaya humor to international audiences, and curious as to how it will be received,” Chawdhury said in a statement.

The film boasts of an ensemble cast that include Tessie Tomas, Mon Confiado, Nanette Inventor, Ferdinand Mesias, Keith Deligero, Gen Mijares and Ronyel Compra. – InterkAksyon.com

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(The Philippine Star) | Updated May 18, 2016 – 12:00am

NAVAL, Biliran, Philippines – Commitment to public service and hard work earned the Espina clan in this island province a landslide victory during the May 9 elections.

Roger Espina ran unopposed and won a third term as representative of the lone district of Biliran. A former governor who served for three terms, he was a finalist in the search for most outstanding governor in the 2006 Local Government Leadership Awards by the Local Government Academy of the Philippines for his hands-on approach in public service.

Gerry Boy Espina, who was elected to a third term as governor, also ran unopposed. Under his watch, the island province was awarded the seal of good housekeeping in 2011 and 2013 and the Seal of Good Local Governance in 2015.

Rudy Espina, twin brother of the congressman, also won by a wide margin as mayor of Kawayan town, the province’s third largest municipality by population. The pro-poor programs he implemented through the bottom-up budgeting participatory approach were hailed as best practices by other municipalities.

Gerard Roger Espina, the 30-year-old son of the congressman and a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, won the hotly contested mayoralty race in Naval, the capital town of Biliran. The youngest member of the provincial board authored the most number of ordinances and resolutions in the past three years. He established a lead of nearly 9,000 votes, the widest vote margin ever recorded in this province, over his rival.

The younger Espinas are carrying out the legacy of the late congressman Gerry Espina Sr., a former assemblyman of Manila who returned to his roots in Biliran in the ’90s to help lead a period of change and progress. – PhilStar

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 20:50:00 05/25/2016

CAIBIRAN, Biliran – The alleged top drug pusher in Caibiran town was arrested by police authorities in a buy-bust operation on Tuesday, May 24.

Reynaldo V. Oledan, was arrested by Caibiran police at around 5:52 PM in Barangay Bariis, this town.

Seized from Oledan were three (3) pieces of small heat sealed sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, one (1) piece P500 bill as marked money, two (2) pieces P500 bill, one (1) piece P100 bill and one (1) piece lighter.

Oledan was a resident of Barangay Victory in Caibiran, Biliran. – BiliranIsland.com

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 21:22:00 05/26/2016

NAVAL, Biliran, May 26 – Who would have known that the elusive top drug lord in Biliran Province will be caught just outside a barangay cockpit in this town? Perhaps this time he has run out of luck.

Jewarth Alba, aka “Joe-Art,” alleged top drug lord in Biliran was nabbed on Thursday, May 26, in a buy-bust operation at around 5 PM outside a cockpit in Barangay Calumpang, this town.

Alba was arrested by joint elements of the provincial anti-illegal drug special operation task force of the Biliran police provincial office (BPPO) led by PInsp. Chamberline Ludivise and Naval police station led by PInsp. Nonito Zuasula.

Seized from Alba during his arrest were the following: Four (4) Pos, small heat sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance, believed to be shabu, Two thousand pesos (P 2,000.00) with denomination of one (1) piece One thousand Peso ( P1,000), two (2) pieces five hundred (P 500)  pesos, One (1) big sachet and two (2) small sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, One (1) piece weighting scale, One (1) big transparent plastic sachet containing fourty (40) pieces small empty plastic sachets, and one (1) improvised tosser color pink, One (1) piece small sling bag color black, One (1) piece improvised stainless clip, One (1) pc. green lighter, Two (2) pieces One thousand peso bill, Two hundred peso (P 200), Thirteen (13) pieces five hundred Pesos (P 500), Ninety six (96) pieces one hundred (P 100) peso bill, Twenty eight pieces (28) fifty peso bill and One (1) piece cellular phone.

Alba was previously arrested for violation of Section 5 and 6 RA 9165, by elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 8 together with his father-in-law, Serapio Igano, on January 24, 2013 in Barangay Bunga, Cabucgayan, Biliran.

After his arrest in Cabucgayan, Alba posted bail for his temporary liberty. Since that time, Alba was allegedly seen by people in Biliran Province freely roaming around in public places and was believed to have continued his illegal drug trade.

There were talks that Alba already planned to stop his illegal drug trade, but he could no longer quit since he will be liquidated by the drug syndicate he is linked with. -BiliranIsland.com

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 22:00:00 05/29/2016

Naval, Biliran – In what we call an unfortunate event, a college student was found dead hanging by a rope around his neck in his sister’s house located at Magallanes St., Smo. Rosario, Naval on May 28, 2016 around 3:30 in the afternoon.

The victim was identified as Sanny Balloso Roque, a 19 year old male, a 3rd year college student and resident of Brgy., Villacaneja, Naval, Biliran.

The PNP Naval is trying to piece together what led to the death of the young man. The case is for further investigation to determine whether the death has no foul play involved or it is indeed a suicide. – BiliranIsland.com

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 18:30:00 05/30/2016

CABUCGAYAN, Biliran – The alleged 2nd top drug pusher in Cabucgayan was shot dead inside his house early morning of Sunday, May 29.

Rico Matugas Rabasto, aka Tata, 36 years old, who was shot at around 4:30 AM,sustained two gunshot wounds in his head which caused his untimely death.

Rabasto, who was also a resident of Brgy. Sto. Nino in Naval, Biliran stayed in his house located at Barangay Pawikan in Cabucgayan town at the time when the shooting incident happened.

According to PNP-Cabucgayan, Rabasto was in number 2 in their drug watchlist.

The Cabucgayan police is still conducting investigation to identify the perpetrator of the shooting incident. – BiliranIsland.com

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June 01, 2016 at 12:01 am by Mel Caspe, The Standard

Tacloban City — The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme on Tuesday turned over two newly built evacuation centers to Typhoon “Yolanda”-affected communities in Biliran province.

EU Ambassador Franz Jessen and UNDP Philippines Country Director Titon Mitra today led the turnover ceremony of the community evacuation centers to local government units of the municipalities of Cabucgayan and Biliran in Biliran province.

The construction of the evacuation centers is part of the EU’s package of assistance, through the UNDP-implemented Project Recovery consisting of 11 community evacuation centers, six of which have been completed, in the provinces of Biliran, Leyte and Eastern Samar.

With funding support of 9.7 million euro (approximately P508 million) from the EU and to be implemented until July 2017, Project Recovery complements the efforts of national and local governments in enabling the timely and sustainable recovery of Yolanda-affected communities and also builds their resilience to future natural disasters.

Project Recovery focuses on rebuilding disaster-resilient infrastructure, restoring livelihoods and jobs in farming and fishing communities, addressing land management issues and shelter construction models to ensure relocation of displaced populations, and strengthening capacities for and linkage of national and local governance disaster response and preparedness.

Guided by the principle of building back better and safer, the CECs are designed and constructed to withstand a 300 kilometers per hour wind velocity, integrates water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and fitted with solar panels and generator set. These will also function as a multi-purpose community center during non-disaster events. – The Standard

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By: Aries Joseph Hegina, Inquirer.net

European Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen commended the Philippine government on Tuesday for its “remarkable” recovery and rehabilitation efforts more than two years after Visayan provinces were heavily hit by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Jessen reiterated EU’s commitment to become the Philippines’ partner not only in disaster recovery but also in sustainable development.

“The EU values its strong partnership with the Philippine Government, both at the national and local levels, and with UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) particularly in helping disaster-affected communities get back on their feet.”

“More than two years since Yolanda happened, we commend the Philippine Government on the remarkable and impressive progress in its recovery and rehabilitation efforts. The EU remains to be a committed partner of the Philippines not just in responding to and recovering from disasters but also in the journey towards sustainable development,” Jessen said during the turnover of evacuation centers in Biliran and Cabucgayan towns in Biliran province.

The EU and the UNDP have turned over two newly constructed community evacuation centers (CECs) in the said province.

The evacuation centers were built through UNDP’s “Project Recovery,” which is supported by EU.

Project Recovery seeks to build 11 CECs in the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, and Samar. Of the 11 evacuation centers planned, six have been established.

The CECs are built to withstand 300 kilometers per hour of wind velocity, equipped with water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and fitted with solar panels and a generator set.

Project Recovery is also creating 165 disaster-resilient core shelters with level 3 water system and electrical support facility in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc in Leyte and the municipality of Hernani in Eastern Samar.

Aside from building houses and evacuation centers, the project also provided employment and livelihood opportunities for residents, such as fish and seaweed processing, food production and sustainable agricultural management.

UNDP Philippines Country Director Titon Mitra said that despite these efforts, there is more work to be done.

“There is still much to do not only for those affected by Yolanda but also to prepare the systems and processes for any future event. The recovery process must continue apace. Now is also the time to examine closely what worked and make the structural fixes required to further enhance capacity to respond and recover in the future. This is a time for shared responsibility in building resilience to the new normal of a world affected by rapid climate change,” Mitra said. RAM/rga, Inquirer.net

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BILIRAN, Biliran (PIA) – “From the scale of one to ten, we are at seven”, a top official of the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Division of Biliran answered when asked on their readiness relative to the opening of classes including the first and full implementation of senior high school program of the government on June 13, 2016.

Dr. Carmela R. Tamayo, schools division superintendent, DepEd-Division of Biliran said that despite the challenges before the opening of classes for school year 2016-2017 especially with the first year of full implementation of senior high school program throughout the country, she is confident of hurdling the problems and implement the program accordingly.

The determined lady chief told government reporters during the PIA-Biliran faclitated press conference and one of the activities of the Brigada Eskwela 2016 regional and division kick-off ceremonies held at Biliran National Agricultural High School (BNAHS), Biliran town, that they are on the right track based on their plan minus some minor challenges they are facing relative to the opening of classes especially with the full implementation of senior high school.

Tamayo reported the deliveries of instructional materials and equipment for the K to 12 program to public elementary and secondary schools in the province of Biliran; the series of development and enhancement trainings to teachers for the K to 12 program; the latest actual enrolment status of enrolees vs the registered students for enrolment under the senior high school program; status of on-going construction of school buildings particularly the buildings that will be used by the senior high school students; and the near completion of teacher items for the senior high school program.

She further said that their latest data of enrolment as of May, 2016 for the senior high school is 1,846 as against the registered number of enrolees of 2, 727 which is still attainable since some students who enrolled at the Naval State University (NSU), the only university in Biliran province and other private secondary schools in cities plus the surplus of enrolees in some secondary schools in Biliran province offering senior high school program are not yet recorded.

As to the non-availability of some secondary school buildings that will be used by senior high school students for school year 2016-2017, Tamayo assured the public that they will use available rooms in secondary schools like gymnasium, principal’s office, computer room and other vacant rooms.

Additional funds are allocated in areas where the school buildings were redesigned because the construction site did not pass the soil testing conducted by the Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Biliran District Engineering Office (BDEO) in-charge of the construction of school building for the senior high school program in Biliran province.

This, according to Dr. Tamayo, is part of their contingency measures they have adopted to ensure smooth opening of classes come June 13.

She also presented to media the lacking teacher items particularly on the subject pertaining to beauty care where there are few takers. However, she said, she is now toying the possibility of hiring non-board passers but equipped with NCII qualifications from TESDA to address the teaching gap.

For her part, Atty. Rhoan Lucero-Orebia, assistant regional director representing Dr. Luisa Bautista Yu, regional director of DepEd, positively said to members of the government media that these challenges are not new based on their experience at the regional office in the implementation of the K to 12 program because they adopt alternative course of action or solution to a particular challenge as it arises along its implementation. # (fj/rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran)

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BILIRAN, Biliran (PIA) – No less than the chief of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) of the education department of the country graced the Brigada Eskwela 2016 regional kick-off ceremony in Eastern Visayas held at the Biliran National High School in Biliran province on Monday, May 30.

The regional kick-off of Brigada Eskwela 2016 in Eastern Visayas here in Biliran town was also the division kick-off of Brigada Eskwela 2016 of the DepEd-Division of Biliran headed by Dr. Carmela R. Tamayo, schools division superintendent.

“This is a historic event”, Sienna said in his message, as this is the first Brigada Eskwela in 13 years where preparations for the full implementation of senior high school program starts.

In DepEd Memorandum No. 35 series of 2016 dated March 8, 2016 signed by Secretary Armin A. Luistro, emphasis on senior high school program in this year’s Brigada Eskwela which runs from May 30-June 4, 2016 is evident in the theme:”Tayo Para sa Paaralang Ligtas, Maayos at Handa Mula Kindergarten Hanggang Senior High School”.

The NEAP director urged the stakeholders present in the Brigada Eskwela 2016 regional kick-off to put their time, effort and resources to develop the full potential of the child who is at the center of the learning process.

He also appreciated the participation of all the stakeholders present in the activity dubbed also as school maintenance week as it showed their commitment of support in preparing the school not only safe but to make it conducive to learning of their children.

The young-looking NEAP head also urged the stakeholders to sustain the spirit of “bayanihan” behind the concept of Brigada Eskwela for it to prosper in the coming years of implementation.# (rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran)

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By: Lottie Salarda, InterAksyon.com
June 1, 2016 12:30 PM

BILIRAN PROVINCE – About 90 percent of the barangays in the province of Biliran are prone to flashfloods because almost all towns have a river like Caibiran and Naval, prompting the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer of Biliran to prepare for the impact of La Nina.

According to PDRRMO Sofronio B. Dacillo Jr., his office has informed all the barangays in the seven municipalities in Biliran about the effects of La Nina since February.

In preparation, three evacuation centers, each able to accommodate 200 people, have been completed in the municipalities of Cabucgayan, Biliran, and Calvara.

“Handa naman kami sa kalamidad, kaya lang depende pa iyon sa magnitude ng disaster,” says Dacillo.

The other day, the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), through EU Ambassador Franz Jessen and UNDP Philippines Country Director Titon Mitra, led the turn-over ceremony of the community evacuation centers to local government units to the municipalities of Cabucgayan and Biliran in Biliran province.

In his message, Jessen said he was happy that the construction of the emergency shelters came with the strong involvement of the community.

In July, five of the 11 evacuation centers donated by the EU through the UNDP will be completed.

Aside from the evacuation centers, the EU also donated 55 housing units in Tacloban City, 55 in Hernani, and 55 in Ormoc City.

The UNDP’s recovery projects were funded by the European Union with about 9.7 million euro (508 million pesos) to be implemented until July this year.

“More than two years after Yolanda happened, we commend the Philippine government on the remarkable and impressive progress in its recovery and rehabilitation efforts,” Ambassador Jessen said.

“The EU values its strong partnership with the Philippine government, both at the national and local levels, and with UNDP particularly in helping disaster-affected communities get back on their feet,” he added.

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 19:55:00 06/13/2016
Last Updated 07:27:00 06/14/2016

NAVAL, Biliran – A fugitive suspect in an old rape case, Paul Chong, is a free man no more.

The suspect is a cousin of former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong and son of former Naval councilor Nestor “Nene” Chong.

Paul Saba Chong, 35 years old, male, and resident of Brgy. Smo. Rosario Naval, Biliran was taken into custody after 9 years of manhunt. He was spotted in Sitio Anas and the PNP Naval force was notified. He was arrested on June 12, 2016 around 6:30 p.m. for sexual assault charges filed in 2007.

It started last May 24, 2007, when a salelady reported that he was allegedly raped by Chong, then a student of the Naval State University.

The victim, a native of Tacloban City, narrated that about midnight of May 24, 2007, Chong forcibly had sex with her at the establishment owned by the perpetrator’s family. At the time of the report, she was put under the protective custody of the DSWD as she claimed to have received numerous threats.

The manhunt Charlie had been in operation for 9 years, when Paul Chong evaded arrest. The RTC Branch 16 issued an order to arrest with no bail in connection of two cases of rape filed by the victim. – BiliranIsland.com

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